HCCC Torchbearer Award Recipients Announced 
October 05, 2009
The Herkimer County Community College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Torchbearer Award.
The Torchbearer Award is presented every five years to recognize individuals whose contributions have had a significant and lasting impact on the development and operations of Herkimer County Community College. The 2009 honorees are Dr. Robert Dorrance of Herkimer, Mrs. Grace McLaughlin of Herkimer, Mr. John H. Thayer of Rome and Mr. Robert E. VanDusen of Frankfort.
Robert Dorrance was a member of the founding faculty of HCCC and former chair of the Mathematics and Science Foundation. A great proponent of outdoor education, Dorrance designed and built the college’s nature trails and cross-country ski trails.
Grace McLaughlin, wife of HCCC’s first president Robert McLaughlin, represented the interests of the college in a broad range of community organizations. She is the founder of the Herkimer County Arts and Crafts Fair which is hosted annually by the Herkimer County College Foundation as a fundraiser for student scholarships at HCCC.
John Thayer was a founding member of the college’s professional services staff and simultaneously filled as many as five supervisory administrative roles in the beginning days of the college’s operations. Thayer also managed the college’s original intramural sports program.
Robert VanDusen is a former member of the Herkimer County Legislature, where for over 30 years he served as a tireless supporter of HCCC. VanDusen secured resources for the growth of the college through his work with regional development organizations and the state of New York.
This group brings the total number of Torchbearer Award recipients to 19. Previous recipients of the award are: Dr. James Anderson, Robert Boyle, Anthony Cosentino, Bess Cristman, Dr. Joseph DeLorenzo, Dr. Donald Gavagan, Col. James Hill, Virgil Johnson, Richard Jorrey, Frederick Juer, Harold Luther, Robert McLaughlin, Frank Menapace, Jean Stapleton and Dr. H. David Trautlein.
“We are very proud to honor these four individuals for their dedication and contributions to the college,” said Donald Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Nominations for the Torchbearer Award were solicited in the spring and reviewed by a nominations committee that included: Daniel Sargent, HCCC Assistant to the President; Donald Snyder, Esq., chair of the Board of Trustees; Timothy Dunn, HCCC alumnus and trustee; Judy Hummel, a former trustee; James Wallace, Herkimer County Administrator; and Dr. Joseph De Lorenzo, HCCC Faculty Emeritus and a previous recipient of the Torchbearer Award. The committee submitted a list of recommended nominees to the Board of Trustees, which selected the final class of award recipients for 2009.
The award recipients will each be honored with a plaque on the Torchbearer’s wall in HCCC’s Robert McLaughlin College Center lobby. An awards ceremony and reception, at which the plaques will be unveiled, will be held later this fall.